Hotter Shoes launches 8 new women's sandals for spring 2012

Designers at Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes have launched 8 new women's sandals so the nation can enjoy every step this season in the ultimate comfort and style.

Designed to make every day an occasion, Hotter's women's sandals have been designed to be stylish with on trend detailing. Followers of fashion will enjoy popular colourful shades such as pastels, nudes, metallic as well as bright summer colours. What’s more every pair is crammed with ultra-comfy features such as super soft leathers, lightweight flexible soles whilst clever adjustability features help to create the perfect fit.

The shoe brand has also just launched its new Hotter Active Concept collection. This features sporty sandals Borneo and Java which are designed to assist with leg toning and to boost circulation with every step, thanks to their unique take-off and landing pods. And, with shock absorbing dual density soles, wearers will feel like they're walking on air. These sandals will be available to buy Mid April.

"We wanted to introduce a variety of new styles into our sandal collection so there’s something for everyone and something for every occasion," commented Range Director Paul Sayers. "We know a lot of our customers love being active but want to look good and feel great at the same time, with these new styles this is exactly what they can do. And as pastel shades are a big trend this Summer Hotter fans will find they can enjoy the latest trends while being comfy too.

"And, because it's really important to us that customers can enjoy the perfect fit when wearing our sandals, we've included 15 styles this season that are now available in an Extra Wide fitting."

It’s easy to find the perfect fit with Hotter women's sandals as sizes range from 3 to 9 with some half sizes, extra wide fitting women's sandals and even EEE fittings. Adjustability in the buckles or touch close fastenings offers the wearer plenty of options to secure and adjust their footwear.

FACTFILE:
Hotter Comfort Concept, which was set up in 1959, is the UK's biggest shoe maker, with one of the most advanced production facilities in Europe. The company makes a range of comfortable shoes, including wide fitting shoes, for women and men which incorporate 'Comfort Concept' features including smooth internal seams, removable insoles, soft leather uppers and soft padding. 

The 1.5 million pairs of comfortable shoes designed and made in Hotter’s UK factory this year will have shock absorbing soles which contain millions of air bubbles, making Hotter shoes incredibly light, giving the feeling of walking on air. The company has recently been nominated by their local MP to be part of the Made by Britain project.

www.hottershoes.com

(EDITOR: My wife swears by her Hotter Shoes!)

Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes launches nationwide TV ad campaign

Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes has launched a nationwide TV advertising campaign highlighting the thoughts of the people who wear their comfortable shoes and starring four customers.

The UK's biggest shoe manufacturer, which will make nearly 1.5 million pairs of shoes this year, commissioned a nationwide search to find passionate customers who simply love Hotter shoes to feature in the TV campaign.

"Our customers’ comments and thoughts about our shoes fuel and inspire our designers when they're creating stylish new designs for our ultra comfy shoes," said Range Director Paul Sayers. "Every day we receive feedback into our call centre, website, Facebook page and stores, telling us how important it is that these stylish women can find comfy shoes to keep them on their feet through their busy, active lives. We already have our first million happy customers and our design team is dedicated to creating the next."

Owner of 20 pairs of Hotter shoes, teacher Susan Robinson from Leeds, stars in the TV advert and loves the comfort features she feels every time she wears them. "I like to walk a lot and can walk for hours in my Hotter shoes. Wearing them means I can be on my feet all day and not worry about a thing."

Former Dior, Yves St Laurent and Jaeger model, Jenni Rhodes from London, who has worked in fashion, textiles and now makes jewellery, also took part in the day of filming. "I love the perfect fit of Hotter Shoes and there is always a choice in the catalogue for each season and every occasion that suits me perfectly."

The advert features some of Hotter's top selling women's shoes with each and every pair packed full of Hotter's famous comfort concept features including wiggle room for toes, super soft leathers and suedes and lightweight, flexible soles. Hotter makes shoes with a selection of adjustments, half sizes and extra width fittings and has an online shoe fitting guide to help find the perfect fit.

Hotter's customer stories and the shoes featured in the advert can be found at www.hotter.com and the Hotter Shoes YouTube channel.

FACTFILE:
One in every three pairs of all shoes made in the UK are made in Hotter's Lancashire factory - the company is forecast to make nearly 1.5 million pairs of shoes this year, making it the biggest shoe manufacturer in the UK. The company was set up in 1959, introducing the Hotter brand in the 1990s with the aim of creating "the world's most comfortable footwear, continuously delighting customers".
www.hottershoes.com

Debenhams reveals formula for perfect pair of 'drop-a-dress size' shoes

Debenhams has announced its formula for how to drop a dress size in seconds. According to the retailer, if chosen carefully, a mere pair of shoes can have a dramatic slimming effect on the wearer - creating the illusion of having dropped a dress size.

The slimming effect is so apparent that, when asked to guess the dress size of the same woman in two images, people shown the image of her wearing the slimming shoes gave an average of one dress size smaller than those shown a picture of her without the magic shoes on.

Debenhams technologists created the formula when they noticed an onslaught of celebrity women, including Kate Middleton, Victoria Beckham and most recently Ed Miliband's wife Justine wearing similar nude high heels.

The formula for the perfect pair of slimming shoes is as follows: (colour + platform + height + heel width) - ankle strap = slimming, or as it is written in short-hand: (C + P + H + HW) - AS = S.

For those wanting to look slimmer in their dresses, they must first choose a nude coloured shoe which matches their skin tone. This works as an extension of the leg. Platforms should be concealed and should have at least a centimetre in depth to ensure maximum lengthening.

Heel height is critical and it is advised that women choose three-inch or higher heels. This provides added height and instantly gives a slimming effect. Heel width should also be considered. Thick heels draw the eye and break the illusion, so stiletto heels are recommended.

The final aspect of the formula is ankle straps. According to the formula, ankle straps should be avoided at all costs as they cut the leg short, making them look shorter and wider.

The formula combines a combination of tricks that give the impression of lengthened legs and tighter thighs while encouraging the torso to be pushed out, in turn flattening the stomach.

In response to the slimming formula, Natelle Baddeley, head of accessories for Debenhams, said: "It seems that performing magic tricks is no longer reserved for the likes of Dynamo and David Blaine.

“If followed to the letter, this formula gives women the chance to walk in the shoes of the famous tricksters of our time - creating a slimmer silhouette in an instant."

Natelle Baddeley continued: "This is a diet in a shoe. Once you have found the perfect pair all you need to do is slip on your shoes to instantly transform your silhouette. It's the perfect party cheat."

High profilers who currently benefit from this sneaky cheat are A-listers such as Beyonce Knowles, Victoria Beckham, Alesha Dixon, Jessie J and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Running Shoes Selling Fast With Six Months To Go ‘Til The London Marathon 2012

22nd October marks an important day for thousands of people in the country as it is six months ‘til the London Marathon - and time to start training!

The countdown is on with just 183 days until the big race and, already, Google is reporting a huge spike in searches for ‘marathon training’: 5,400 people have made this search just this month alone.

Sales figures at Sportsshoes HQ have also shown an increase in people interested in preparing for the marathon. The Asics GT 2160 running shoes have been flying off the shelves as athletes race to get the correct sports kit to prevent any injuries when running.

Running gear specialist and MD of SportsShoes.com Brett Bannister says:  “The London Marathon is one of the most enduring races in the world. When people run, around three to four times their bodyweight is placed on the shoe at a time and that’s a lot of pressure over 26 miles! So it is paramount to get some really good running shoes with the right amount of support and cushioning to suit the level of pronation. Runners will also find their feet will heat up and swell when running long distances, so they should choose half a size up from their normal shoe size.”

He adds, “When choosing clothing it is important to look for moisture-wicking and breathable fabrics to ensure a comfortable run.”

Brett includes his top 5 essential kit items for marathon runners below:

1. For neutral runners, the cushioned Nike Zoom Vomero +6 running shoes are brilliant for high mileage usage and just £64.95. For more support try the Saucony Progrid Hurricane 12 shoes, a reasonable £69.95

2. The Nike Dri Fit range offers super breathable vests ideal for marathon runners. Made of a high performance, microfibre fabric it wicks sweat away from the body to keep runners cool and comfortable. Prices start from £12.95.

3. The Adidas Response Tight Running Shorts have a zip back pocket which is ideal for keeping essentials at hand throughout a race. The ‘climalite’ fabric also wicks sweat away from the skin. They are available for men and women from £17.95.

4. Thorlo Light Mini Crew Running Socks are made of 70% Coolmax fabric to keep your feet cooler and drier than ordinary socks. The light weight pads of these anklet socks make them more comfortable, reducing fatigue and minimising blisters. Available for men and women at SportsShoes.com at £9.99.

5. Music is an essential morale booster during the epic journey. Why not check out our Sportsshoes.com playlist on Sharemyplaylist.com which has a great variety of tempos to work through during practice runs.

Hotter Shoes says reveals one in three women carry extra pair of comfy shoes in case of pain

Hotter Shoes has revealed that one in three UK women carry a comfortable pair of shoes with them to swap into because they are anticipating foot pain, according to a new survey.

Women who work, rest and play are going to great lengths to remain on their feet longer, despite 81 per cent admitting to experiencing pain by wearing 'killer' heels on a night out. (EDITOR: That must be why they call them 'killer' heels) But don't think that it's just fashionistas suffering for their art as an incredible 46 per cent of women admitted to walking in comfortable shoes to meet friends then changing into killer heels at the last minute.

The study into the footwear choices of 2,000 women was conducted by comfortable shoe specialist, Hotter Shoes which is looking at what motivates women's shoe choices for occasions.

Lisa McCarten of Hotter Shoes said: "The research highlights the amount of pain women encounter in uncomfortable shoes but shows they are willing to do something about it – logically shoes that look good and feel fantastic are the answer."

She added: "We were astounded to find comfy shoes often being seen as 'handbag accessories' in women’s daily lives. Shoes shouldn’t have to be worn in - it should be a pleasure to put on a brand new pair of shoes not a pain. At Hotter we know that women want shoes that look good and make them feel fantastic whatever they are doing."

A staggering 84 per cent of women wear killer heels on a night out, despite only one in ten saying they can find comfortable high heels.

34 per cent of women anticipate experiencing pain from their shoes within an hour of leaving home and 60 per cent carry plasters because they expect a blister or cut. More than half have ended an evening bare foot as they couldn't walk further in their uncomfortable shoes.

Half of the women surveyed said they buy new shoes to take on holiday and almost 60 per cent of them have experienced pain whilst abroad.

One in three has had to buy another pair of shoes when out of the house due to the level of discomfort experienced in the shoes they were wearing. A third of women in the UK walk to work in a comfortable pair of flats before changing into heels at their desk.

FACTFILE:
The company, which was established in 1959, now has one of the most successful production facilities anywhere in the world. The 'Comfort Concept' in every pair of women's shoes includes features such as smooth internal seams; removable insoles; soft leather uppers and soft padding. The 1.7 million pairs of shoes that will be designed and made in Hotter's UK factory this year have shock absorbing soles which contain millions of air bubbles that make the shoes incredibly light and give a feeling of walking on air.

Hotter shoes makes a range of womens shoes and mens shoes that are designed to look stylish but secretly hide a raft of comfort features including padding at heels; roomy toe boxes and removable insoles. The shoes made in the Lancashire factory have polyurethane soles that contain millions of tiny air bubbles, making them incredibly lightweight, flexible and shock absorbing. The company also manufactures work shoes and extra wide shoes, as well as several other ranges.

Topman catches the Hare

Topman has announced it will be collaborating with Marc Hare, the man behind the much lauded Mr Hare shoe brand, to launch his first ever footwear collaboration this autumn with the high street store.

The collection - to form part of the Topman AAA range - will contain ten styles across both shoes and boots including evening loafers and hi-shine hi-tops. The collection will launch in two parts - the first at the end of this month and the second at the end of October 2011 and will be available on-line and at the Oxford Circus, New York and Chicago stores.

"The inclusion of Marc Hare to Topman’s ever increasing stable of designer collaborations is such an honour. Long being a fan of his beautiful elegant understated shoes it is such a pleasure to be able to introduce this collection specifically designed for our AAA range," said Gordon Richardson, Topman design director.

Marc’s impeccable attention to detail is inherent across all the designs as is his personality – he has incorporated an element of fun into each pair. Designs come from the heart, each created from his desire to produce a shoe not lacking in style or quality, with all the signs of perfection at an affordable price making them obtainable to all.

Marc Hare, designer, said: "I never understood why girls had all the fun when it came to shoes!"

Marc Hare's full shoe menu includes the Oxford, the Rogue boot, the Loafer, the Sneaks, the Ankle Boot and the Derby Shoe.

Boots Treat Street welcomes Office Shoes

Boots Treat Street is pleased to welcome Office Shoes as the newest addition to the online shopping portal.

Office joins other leading fashion brands like Banana Republic, BHS, Boden, Bravissimo, Burton, Charles Tyrwhitt, Clarks, Coast, Dorothy Perkins, eBay, Evans Clothing, figleaves, French Connection, Gap, JD Sports, Joules, Laura Ashley, Marisota, Miss Selfridge, Monsoon, Mothercare, New Look, Simply Be, Sweaty Betty, Topman, Wallis and many more.

Dave Robinson, who is the Head of Partnership Marketing at Boots, said: "It's with great pleasure Boots can announce another exciting collaboration with yet another top clothing brand. Office Shoes has a fantastic history in the fashion industry and always manages to bring something new and edgy to the table. Office has a fantastic shoe collection at good value prices, with the added bonus of collecting Boots Advantage Card points on your Office purchases when you shop through Treat Street.

"Office is renowned for a creative impulse in shoe retailing and Treat Street are proud to have them as an addition to the fashion and gifts categories in 2011. Keep an eye out for discount codes and new offers updates by checking the Treat Street site regularly.

www.treatstreet.boots.com

Debenhams has revealed new research which suggests the female foot is getting bigger across the UK

With sales soaring, demand for size nine shoes has sparked a massive 80% increase in stocks at the department store.   

But despite the growing trend, 82% of size eight and nine customers say they are ashamed of their shoe size, ironically most blokes in the UK are a size nine.

Merchandisers at the department store thought something was afoot when it was revealed that 67% of all size nines sold, are bought online as opposed to in store.

Carie Barkhuizen, Debenhams Spokesperson, said: "Buying shoes online can be a tricky feat which is why we decided to ask women why they were shopping behind closed doors. We were surprised to learn a case of cold feet was behind it all.

"It's even more surprising when you consider the host of celebrity women like Michelle Obama and Nicole Kidman proudly stepping out on their larger paws."

When asked to identify what part of shopping for shoes in store they found particularly uncomfortable, 64% said it was asking the shop assistant for their size and 36% said they hated taking their shoes off in public.

The survey also revealed that 47% of women had lied to their partners and friends about their shoe size.

To help combat this embarrassment, Debenhams has instructed stores to put more size eight and nine stock out on the shop floor for women to help themselves to. 

Women needn't feel alone however, the average female shoe size has increased by one and a half sizes over the last 10 years; from four and a half in 1990 to a size six in 2011, and larger sizes are increasingly in demand.

The change is attributed to women's feet becoming broader rather than longer which experts believe may be due to an increase in average body weight as women grow taller.

Demand for size nines was highest in Dublin, followed by London, Birmingham, Glasgow and Newcastle.

Carie Barkhuizen continued: "If the current trend continues, then we will start stocking women's shoes in size ten and eleven too.

"Shoes with high heels, such as stilettos in larger sizes, have to be made much stronger with sturdier load bearing points, able to cope with greater levels of stress and wear.

"The materials and techniques now available means that the majority of shoes can made strong and comfortable enough in larger sizes which would have been unimaginable just ten years ago." 

Celebrity women with larger feet include; Nicole Kidman (size 9), Jerry Hall (8), Paris Hilton (9), Michelle Obama (9), Kate Winslet (9) and Geena Davis (9.5).

Hotter Comfort Concept launches new range of holiday shoes

Hotter Comfort Concept has launched its brand new range of holiday shoes that are light and easy to pack, comfy enough for everyday and stylish for any occasion.

With cool sandals for beach holidays, sporty styles for city visits and smart, comfy heels for those special holiday nights out, there's a Hotter option for every type of holiday.

Careful footwear selection can be the key to a happy holiday and no matter what you are doing, or where you are travelling, comfort is essential.If you have bad feet, you do not have a good holiday.

"When luggage space is at a premium, versatile style is essential and comfort can't be compromised, you need to pack smart and pack Hotter shoes for your holiday," said range and merchandising director, Paul Sayers.

"We'll be making 1.6 million pairs of shoes in our UK factory this year, and every pair will have polyurethane soles which are filled with millions of air bubbles, making them incredibly lightweight - so perfect holiday essentials to pack to beat those excess baggage fees."

These same air bubbles act as tiny shock absorbers as the wearer walks, creating an enviable feeling of walking on air and making Hotter shoes some of the most comfortable ever made. But that's not the end of the Comfort Concept, because Hotter's experts carefully hide a myriad of comfort features in every pair of shoes they make.

Luxuriously soft linings, hidden space for toes to wiggle (EDITOR: Bliss!) and gentle cushioning to hold heels in place come as standard, but what takes the new Hotter shoes to the next level is the extra special attention the team makes to ensure they look good too, with handcrafted details, fashionable colourways and on trend styling.

Hotter's holiday shoe collection starts with a selection of sandals just ideal for the beach; gladiator style Livia is on trend and fashionable, with touch close fastening it is easy to slip on and off; classic Easy is completely adjustable with two touch close fastening straps to the front and a buckled sling back, strap.

Leanne is Hotter's holiday shoe for a sightseeing break because it's lightweight, comfy and the upper mesh will keep feet cool when the temperature rises - weighing 216g it's perfect for packing.

If customers can only pack just one holiday shoe then Hotter's design team have selected Shake as the perfect all-rounder thanks to its supportive, breathable leather upper and light supportive soles.

Hotter designs, makes and sells comfortable shoes for women and men. Ladies shoes are available in sizes 3 to 9 with some half sizes, extra fit and EEE fittings. Men's shoes are available in sizes 6 to 12, with some half sizes and have a generous fit.

Why Hotter feet can be happy feet: Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes reveals office staff opt for comfort

Hotter Comfort Concept Shoes has revealed that ties, killer heels and sharp suits are a thing of the past with the average office worker now opting for a dressed down look according to new research by the comfort shoe brand.

The image of smart office workers is being replaced by employees more likely to be wearing comfortable shoes, t-shirts and casual trousers.

When planning what to wear for a day at the office Britons are more likely to consider their own comfort than worrying about tottering in heels. Nearly half (49%) saying they wear shoes to work that are comfortable with an additional 32% saying they wear practical smart work heels in the office.

But over one third of women wear different shoes for their commute - indicating that their work shoes may not offer the ultimate comfort for a walk, bus or tube ride to the office.

Company dress codes now often allow casual smart comfort in the office which is great news for bosses and staff alike as more than half of those surveyed said they worked better if they were comfortable with what they were wearing and nearly half said that a casual outfit made them more confident in the work place.

Paul Sayers, product design director from Hotter Shoes, who was behind the research into 3,000 working Brits said: "The evidence is clear to see, comfort has officially made a comeback. We make shoes that feel like slippers, so it's great to hear the majority of workers say they feel more confident and work more productively when they feel comfortable in what they wear.

"As comfort specialists we make sure that every pair of our shoes, whether smart work heels or casual comfy commuter-wear, is designed to combine comfort and style. We have always believed in the power of comfort and this proof underlines our commitment to making the nation's feet happy."

Only one third of women wear a shirt to work. Two thirds say they dress more casually now than they did 10 years ago with nearly all saying things had changed from 20 years ago.

Summer was also the time when most staff took a more casual approach to their wardrobe.

Most admit that they only look smart and wear smart shoes at work twice a week although over 83% said they made more of an effort if they have a meeting.

FACTFILE:

The company, established in 1959, is now one of the most successful production facilities anywhere in the world. The 'Comfort Concept' in every pair includes features such as smooth internal seams; removable insoles; soft leather uppers and soft padding. The 1.3 million pairs of shoes designed and made in Hotter Comfort Concept's UK factory each year have shock absorbing soles which contain millions of air bubbles that make the shoes incredibly light and give a feeling of walking on air.

Hotter Comfort Concept shoes and sandals are sold direct to customers via its 100 seat call centre; www.hotter.com, 15 Hotter Comfort Concept stores across the UK and via 200 independent retailers.

Going Barefoot? Big sales boost for PureKit.com

Merrell Barefoot shoes are proving be a major success story for www.PureKit.com, with the minimalist shoes topping their sales charts.

Merrell barefoot shoes are proving to be a massive hit with PureKit.com customers, with sales of the minimalist shoes soaring. The shoes replicate the barefoot running gait, with a design that improves the posture, helps to strengthen the muscles and improves conditioning of the feet.

The shoes are the latest addition to the range of minimalist shoes, and whilst the American brand has entered the barefoot footwear market relatively late, it would appear they are making up for lost time with sales of the new footwear range doing very well.

“Merrell shoes have always been a popular choice with our customers, but Merrell Barefoot shoes were a bit of an unknown quantity, and we were not sure how successful they would prove to be. We need not have worried, as sales are through the roof” says PureKit.com MD Richard Gundle.

Merrell Barefoot shoes offer a minimalist design, with only 4mm of midsole cushioning, with an ultra thin Vibram rubber outsole for traction. In contrast to many barefoot shoes, the Merrell Barefoot range also has a 1mm forefoot protection plate, to prevent injuries from rocks and roots on the trail. The shoes have zero drop from heel to toe, for a true barefoot feel, yet the shoes are highly supportive for the arches.

Whilst barefoot running may be better for foot health, but for urban runners who favour hard surfaces it is often not a practical choice.

Wearing shoes which offer protection from debris, a high-traction sole for grip in wet weather, and protection from baking hot or freezing ground allows runners to get the full benefits of being barefoot, but to do so in greater comfort.

Merrell have created their shoes with a highly versatile design, which works just as well off road, and for barefoot road running, which has, of course, increased their appeal to many runners.

Another reason why Merrell Barefoot shoes are such a popular choice? It's their attractive styling. Merrell are well known for designing and making attractive footwear, and the latest minimalist shoes are no different.

They offer the benefits of being barefoot, yet they have a versatile design which is equally well suited for casual wear as for sports, and are not noticeably minimalist shoes.

Merrell appreciates that whilst their shoes can improve the condition of the feet, it takes time to build up muscle tone and for the feet to adjust. To help its customers get used to the new way of walking, the company has released an iphone app to guide new barefoot runners through the acclimatisation process.

“We always advise our customers to start off gently, as whilst the shoes are comfortable straight out of the box, it can take some time for the feet to adapt to the new way of walking. The iphone app is a great way to get started ” says Gundle.

Despite the initial uncertainty about how its customers would take to the new footwear, it's clear outdoor enthusiasts have fallen in love with the new minimalist shoes. The shoes may only have been in stock for a few months, but sales have already overtaken other,more established, barefoot brands. With summer now just around the corner, and water sports and outdoor adventuring now firmly on the agenda, it looks likely that the strong sales will continue.